You think the scribes have a new ransom demand? Mutatus gave you the slip, and went alone to a meet?" Passus nodded and swore bleakly. Then he took himself off to report to Rubella. I gave up my plan to find Helena, and went to see Holconius. Of course at first he denied everything. But sitting alone in the apartment had sapped his courage. He admitted the new ransom demand. Rubella had firmly warned the scribes to do nothing, but again they ignored advice in case it rebounded on the so-called captive Diocles. They still had money. Mutatus had gone to fetch the cash. The new ransom note said only one man was to handle this exchange. Mutatus would be contacted.
So you see, Falco," Holconius declared self-righteously, I cannot tell you anything about how the money will be handed over, because I don't know!" I ordered him to go to the vigiles station house and confess to Rubella. I made Holconius tell me which temple was their bank. Then I set off there.
